Sri Lanka because of its shape and location is called the Pearl of Indian Ocean. It’s the land of endless beauty with its luscious forests, tea plantations, ancient sights, beautiful beaches and impressive wildlife. On top of that local people are very welcoming and helpful. Sri Lanka was a colony of three different European countries, Portuguese in the 16th century, Dutch in the 17th century and British in the 18th century. All of these countries have influenced Sri Lanka in a different way, but Great Britain’s influence is the most notable as it was the last coloniser before the country independence in 1948. The name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka was changed later on, in 1972. One week is not a long time to explore this gorgeous country, but even 7 days will allow you to see plenty and to tick off some of the things off your bucket list. The best way for us to get around is by private car hire. It’s the fastest and most efficient way, not to mention the most comfortable. The private car hire is also pretty affordable. Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka; however, English is taught as a third language in local schools, so basic words and phrases are widely known.
Day 1 & 2 – ELLA
Ella is a small, laid-back hill town surrounded by the stunning tea plantations. It has some of the most beautiful views in Sri Lanka. Due to its elevation, it has a comfortable climate, with relatively hot days but cooler nights. It’s a relaxing but not a boring base to explore the surroundings. The town itself despite being very small has many lively bars and restaurants.
How to get from Colombo to Ella?
We booked a taxi online in advance, from a Taxi Sri Lanka. They quickly respond to emails, and the prices are clearly displayed on their website. The driver arrived on time and was very friendly.
Cost: Taxi from Colombo Airport to Ella – 15000 LKR
Where to stay in Ella?
Ella Ridge View
Ella Ridge View is a family run guesthouse about 10 minutes walk from the town centre. The room was very basic but adequate for a short stay. We booked it mostly because of the view, and we weren’t disappointed. The view from the balcony was just stunning, overlooking the Ella rock. The host was very friendly and knowledgeable of the area. He gave us some tips and advice and helped us to plan our time in Ella, from arranging tuk-tuks to buying the tickets for a train from Ella to Kandy. The breakfast is made by the host’s mother and is served on the balcony each morning. It consists of Sri Lankan dishes, fresh fruits and tea or coffee. Everything we had was very nice, especially the egg hoppers with coconut sambal. It costs only $2/per person.
Address: Sapumaltenna, Passara Road, Ella, Sri Lanka
Where to eat in Ella?
Matey Hut
Matey Hut is a cute little restaurant serving an outstanding Sri Lankan cuisine. The food here was the best we’ve had in Sri Lanka. We usually like to try new places, but we liked it so much that we had dinner here two nights in a row. It’s also very cheap, and the staff is super friendly. The menu includes many vegetarian options so everyone should find something they fancy. There are only a few tables, so I would recommend coming early to avoid waiting in the queue. Also, bear in mind that they close very early, between 6-8 pm, depending on the season. Don’t miss it!
Address: 91 Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Hwy, Near Tunnel, Ella, Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea Factory Restaurant
The restaurant is tastefully decorated and has an extensive menu including western dishes, wine and cocktails. We shared a prawn curry which was well cooked and nicely presented. Overall it’s a good option if you are looking for more ‘international’ rather than a ‘local’ experience.
Address: 4 Passara Road, Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella Flower Garden Restaurant
Lovely place in a beautiful setting with stunning views from the terrace over hills and greenery. We stopped here for a fresh juice and some pre-dinner drinks. On the day we went, it was a bit foggy, but despite that, we really enjoyed the peaceful ambience.
Address: 3 Mile Post, Passara Road, Ella, Sri Lanka
What to do in Ella?
Visit a Tea Factory
We would highly recommend a tea factory tour to anyone visiting Ella. We visited a Halpewatte tea factory. It is located in a lovely area with a great view. It was very interesting to learn about the process of making tea, from the harvest to the final product. After the tour, you get to taste four different teas. The whole experience takes about an hour, and there’s a shop if you’d like to purchase some tea at the end.
Cost: The tour was 450 LKR/pax.
Tip: Check in advance if there is a tea production on the day you plan to visit. Otherwise, you will only be able to do an informative tour, without actually seeing the process. We would also recommend going there in the morning (9:00) to see every step of tea production.
Address: Badulla Road, Hela-Halpe, Ella, Sri Lanka
Visit a Nine Arches Bridge
Nine Arches Bridge is a must visit while in the area. It’s a very picturesque bridge, surrounded by the hills and luscious tea plantations. We took a tuk-tuk to a specific point and then walk down towards the bridge, stopping halfway through to see the train pass from the top. Rather than taking a tuk-tuk back, you can walk along the train tracks in the direction of Ella Train Station; it takes about 30 minutes.
Tip: Check the timetable in advance if you want to see the train crossing the bridge. You can ask your host, or you can check the times at the station.
Take a train from Ella to Kandy
This journey should be on everyone’s itinerary. It is one of the most scenic and unique train rides in the world. It was one of our favourite parts of our trip to Sri Lanka. The journey takes about 7-hours through the stunning lush green hills, tea plantations, local villages and over bridges. Given how slowly the train is moving, the trip passed by surprisingly quickly with such beautiful scenery around. The tickets can only be purchased in person at the station. There are 3 classes in the train. The first class is an air-conditioned cabin, which means no open windows or doors. We would recommend either 2nd class or 3rd class with reserved seats if you would like the experience of hanging out the train’s door. Opened windows and fans keep the carriage cool enough. The seat arrangement is 2+3. There is also a third class without reserved seats, where we heard not only people but also chickens are travelling 🙂 Three days before our journey the second and third class reserved were already sold out at the Ella station, but luckily our host managed to buy us the TCR tickets at the station in a nearby town.
Cost: Train Ella – Kandy (TCR) – LKR 400/pax
Tip: This train is very popular so the tickets tend to sell out early. Buy your ticket as soon as you arrive in Sri Lanka, or try to ask your host to buy it for you before you come. If there are no tickets left on your station of choice, try to buy the tickets at a station in a nearby town.
Tip: Take the morning train, if you will take an afternoon one most of your journey will be in the dark and you will miss the wonderful views.
Day 3 & 4 – KANDY
Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. It is recognised as the country’s cultural capital, and in 1988 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Where to stay in Kandy?
Villa Shenandoah is located on top of a hill, surrounded by greenery, away from the hustle and bustle of Kandy. Our villa was nicely decorated and had a spectacular view of nature from the terrace. It’s a perfect place for a peaceful retreat. There are not many shops nearby, but the hotel provided tuk-tuk for a very reasonable price. We booked half board with our room, so we didn’t go out for dinner. If you have such a beautiful view is there a better place to have dinner than on your private terrace? The food was plentiful and very tasty. We also really enjoyed the a la carte breakfast, particularly the masala and coconut pancakes, the best we had in Sri Lanka! The staff was absolutely wonderful, especially Manehdran who took an excellent care of us.
What to do in Kandy?
Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake is the most iconic place in the entire city. It’s located in the centre of Kandy, next to the famous Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy View Point
Kandy viewpoint is about 10 min drive up from the lake. It gives you nice, panoramic view of the entire city and its surroundings.
DAY 5 & 6 – SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. The town is an amazing example of ancient Sri Lankan art, landscaping and architecture. It is mostly known for Lion Rock, which is the town’s main attraction.
How to get from Kandy to Sigiriya?
We hired a private car from our hotel. You can also book a car online in advance, from a Taxi Sri Lanka, which we used for two other long car journeys. They quickly respond to emails, and the prices are clearly stated on their website.
Cost: Taxi from Kandy to Sigiriya – LKR 7600, with few stops on the way to see some attractions.
Where to stay in Sigiriya?
Elephant Corridor Hotel Sigiriya
The Hotel is located away from the main roads and immersed in nature. The rooms are very spacious with high ceilings, however a bit tired. The plunge pool added a romantic feel, but the water was freezing cold, so it was pointless having it as we couldn’t use it. The choice at breakfast was very limited. Overall for us, it wasn’t worth the money.
Address: Pothana Road, Kimbissa, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Village Hotel
Sigiriya Village Hotel is ideally located at a walking distance from the Lion Rock. Our bungalow was basic but pleasant. We enjoyed the view over the Sigiriya Rock from the pool and the live music in the lobby in the evening. Overall it’s a good and affordable option if you are looking for accommodation for a night or two near the Lion Rock.
Address: Hotel Road, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Where to eat in Sigiriya?
Wijesiri Family Resturant
Wijesiry is a lovely, family-run restaurant serving simple homemade food. We recommed ordering 6 curries & rice, to try a bit of everything. They don’t serve alcohol; however, you can order a ‘pot of cold tea’, if you catch my drift 🙂 It’s also a good spot for breakfast, after climbing the Sigiriya Rock.
Address: Sigiriya Road, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
What to do in Sigiriya?
Climb the Lion Rock
The Lion Rock is one of the country’s most popular landmarks, and it’s a must visit when in Sigiriya. The climb will take you about 45 minutes. The hike is not as scary as it may seem from far, and the paths and stairs are well marked. The view from the top was very impressive and well worth the effort.
Cost: Since Lion Rock is one of the biggest attractions in the country the ticket prices for tourists are quite high, $30/pax.
Tip: Get there early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds. We visited at 7 am when it opens. It was already very hot when we got to the top, and it was very crowdy as we were coming down.
Tip: There are no refreshments along the way, so carry enough water with you.
Visit The Golden Temple
The Golden temple was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991.
DAY 7 – NEGOMBO
After travelling around Sri Lanka, we decided to stay in Negombo for our last night. We wanted to be quite close to the airport as we had an early morning flight. Negombo is a small laid back city, perfect to stay for one or two night to relax before or after your flight.
How to get from Sigiriya to Negombo?
We booked a car online in advance, from a Taxi Sri Lanka. They quickly respond to emails, and the prices are clearly stated on their website. The driver arrived on time and was very friendly.
Cost: Taxi from Sigiriya to Negombo – LKR 10500
Where to stay in Negombo?
Villa Kapuru
Villa Kapuru is located 5-minute walk from the main strip which has a variety of bars, restaurants, shops, an ATM and access to the beach. The room was simple but was very clean and well equipped. It also had a small balcony overlooking the pool. The courtyard and pool with tables, chairs and a few loungers were lovely. This place is definitely a value for money, and we would recommend it if you are staying in Negombo.
Address: 58/1 St. Joseph Mawatha, Ettukala, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Where to eat in Negombo?
Rodeo Pub And Restaurant
A great pub to relax and have a drink or two and watch the world go by. The atmosphere was excellent, and we really enjoyed the homemade chips. It’s quiet in the afternoon but gets very busy in the evening.
Address: 35A Poruthota Road, Ethukala, Negombo 22100, Sri Lanka
Bacco Wine Bar Bistro
We were looking for a break from eating curries, and we pick Bacco as it had very good reviews online. Unfortunately, for us, the pizza was only average, and the service wasn’t attentive. We might have visited on a bad night, or people just have lower standards when it comes to Italian food in Sri Lanka 🙂
Address: 70 Eththukala, Negombo, Sri Lanka
